Last modified: 2024-04-04
Abstract
Molecular sieves are used in a wide range of applications in the oil and gas industries. It is an adsorbent for gas and liquid in purification process. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), COS, mercaptans, or sulfides are common contaminants that must be removed from various petroleum gases and liquids. The sulfur species are extremely corrosive to equipment, vessels, and pipes. The activities of these materials after several operation years have been reduced to a non-feasible level; therefore, it will be a Spent Molecular Sieve (SMS). There is a tenth of tons disposed annually by oil and gas companies in Iraq, sometimes in a non-safe way. The SMS should be treated for safe disposal. The treatment processes focus on reducing the bad effect of poisoning materials on the environment and to extract the valuable elements before disposal. An investigation was done on the SMS that is removed from the sulfur bed before the isomerization unit in the Bazyan petroleum refinery in Sulymanea, Iraq, to determine the risks of the accumulated amount to humans and the environment. A radioactive test shows that it is safe in terms of nuclear radiation as a high resolution HPGe detector for handling and treatment of SMS. A treatment process consists of roasting the samples to remove its content from hydrocarbon, then leaching via three stages of DM water, alkaline solution, and acid solution for 24 hours under a warm condition of 80 °C for each step with gentle mixing. The SMS's physical properties and chemical composition were determined before and after treatment. The data are analyzed, graphically drawn, and compared with the global regulation limits for toxic materials like EPA, RCRA, and Europe. The aim of this research is to determine the risk assessment of storing the SMS in the Bazyan factory and to determine the effective treatment processes for safe disposal or reusing.